Sunday, January 10, 2010

Maine Thoughts and Pictures

I had to have one of these pictures on the ski lift. Every set of pics I have ever seen from skiing has one of these! I was so excited

The view I woke up to every morning! It was beautiful when it was clear out.

The Yourk!!

On the slopes!

O Yea, I am a snow bunny!!!

Getting ready to roll!

The view was beautiful.

It has been a week since we returned from Maine, and I have had plenty of time to process the trip. It was amazingly fun. That is the first time I have traveled with a big group in a few years, and it was divine. The light hearted mood, lots of laughs and smiles, while sitting around watching the fire, made not only a warm hearth, but a warm heart, which was starkly contrasted by the cold, harsh weather outside. There is something haunting about being in a cabin tucked away at the top of a mountain side in the dead of winter. Silence abounds, and the darkness is cut by whipping wind, falling snow, and mountain peaks jutting out in the distance. Maine is beautiful in both the winter and summer. We were in one of those quintessential New England towns, filled with so much quirky charm and character, that at times made me feel as if I were transported to a different time. That, coupled with the fact that we had no phone or internet service for 4 out of 6 days, helped as well.

Skiing , which I have never done before was a blast. I kind of like going on vacation and getting a workout in as well. I picked it up the first day, and by the second I was off the bunny slopes and doing the blues. It was thrilling, scary, and nerve racking all at the same time. I left the slopes each day, tired, but excited, and wanting more. It was thrilling zooming down the mountain hearing nothing but my own breath, and feeling a burn in my legs, and the pounding of my heart as I pushed to go harder and faster.

There were several times this past week that I found myself telling P, "I wish we were still on vacation." I guess that is what retirement is for!